How to breathe your way to better health

Breathing is a natural reflex we all do and is something very few people give a second thought to. Knowing how to breathe deeply to calm ourselves or to show displeasure or frustration (referred to as sighing) are normal responses to environmental stimulants. Breathing deeply to catch our breath – in a manner of speaking – from roaring laughter is also common.

Did you know that on average, a person takes more than 23,000 breaths a day? According to a Herald-Tribune article, a person who lives to be 80 will have enjoyed more than 672,768,000 breaths in their lifetime.

Benefits to breathing

Aside from staining life, breathing can actually relax us. Understanding how to breathe properly can not only relax us, it can also improve our physical endurance , reduce stress levels, and help protect against illnesses and infections by boosting our immunity.

Tips on how to breathe

• Ensure good posture so your ribs and diaphragm can move about freely
• Make sure your breaths have a rhythm
• Aim for 10 to 15 relaxed breaths per minute

The importance of knowing how to breathe properly

People who breathe properly ensure their bodies are constantly supplied with the appropriate levels of oxygen. These levels of oxygen are necessary to replenish organs with essential nutrients. If you do not breathe properly, you may be robbing your body of much-needed oxygen , which can elevate into negative physical conditions.

These conditions can include muscles that tire easily, drab skin from lack of fresh oxygen, and a general lethargic feeling. According to the AHHA , when you breathe properly, 70% of the body’s waste is eliminated through an exhale.

Lungs : As your lungs deal with thousands of gallons of air each day, they also deal with all of the dirt, dust, and pollen you breathe. Proper breathing means a sturdy passageway when a strong cough is needed.

Acid balance : Too much or too little carbonic acid, which enters the blood from carbon dioxide, can cause an imbalance. An internal imbalance can be disruptive and even dangerous. Proper breathing means the carbonic acid is turned back into CO2 when exhaled, maintaining a healthy acidic balance.

Heart : Poor posture such as slouching can compress your heart which can hamper breathing. Learning how to breathe properly includes good posture so your lungs can pull in air, which helps to expand your heart as it relaxes between beats.

Oxygen : Every part of your body requires fresh oxygen. This is the only way to feed your organs, muscles, and brain.

Waste elimination : Every time you consume nutrients , create energy, burn calories, or produce new tissues, your body creates waste in the form of CO2. Each time you breathe, your body has the chance to eliminate this CO2 waste through your exhaled breath. Improper breathing, such as shallow breathing, can result in a buildup of CO2 in the blood which can result in metabolic disturbances and other unpleasant problems.